CORINTHDr. Larry Osborne
Message 21:The Truth About Open Doors North Coast Church
1 Corinthians 16:5-24January 23-24, 2010
The Truth About Open Doors
Life in the center of god’s will
Not Quite What You’d Expect
1 Corinthians 16:5-24
Uncertainty
Powerful Opponents
Power Struggles
Disagreements
Open & closed doors
What To Do When You’re Not Sure What To Do Next
Proverbs 19:2-3/ Proverbs 20:18 & 19:20/ Acts 16:6-10/ James 4:13-15
Get the facts
Pray about it
Seek wise counsel
Do what seems best
Adjust
THE TRUTH ABOUT OPEN DOORS
An open door doesn’t mean smooth sailing
1 Corinthians 16:8-9/ Exodus 4:21/ Exodus 23:27-30/ Judges 1:19
God’s hand is best seen in the rearview mirror
If we do the right thing – we’ll always end up in the right place
Acts 16:22-39/ Acts 23:10-33/ 2 Timothy 4:16-18
Growth Group Homework
For the week of January 24, 2010
Getting to know you
1. The Winter Olympics are coming up in just about a month. If you could compete in any two events, which would they be and why?
2. Larry noted that God’s hand is often most clearly seen in the “rearview mirror.” Have you ever had a situation where you had no idea if God was leading, only to look back later and realize He clearly was? How about something you were sure He was leading you to do, only to find out later He wasn’t?
3. Looking back over your sermon notes, was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that most challenged, confused or caught your attention?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. This week we were given five things to consider when trying to determine the difference between an “open and closed door.” How might each of the following passages impact your decision about whether God is opening or closing a door?
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [NIV]
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, [12] so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. [NIV]
2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [NIV]
2. As we heard this weekend, life can become quite messy even when we’re in the center of God’s will. How might an understanding of the following verses build our confidence even in the midst of life’s storms?
Psalm 33:6-11
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
[7] He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
[8] Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
[9] For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
[10] The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
[11] But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations. [NIV]
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [NIV]
What point or concept is more important for you to remember and why?
3. Most of us would like to be considered wise and insightful when it comes to our decision making. What do the following verses suggest it takes to grow in wisdom and to become effective in making good decisions?
Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil. [NIV]
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm. [NIV]
Proverbs 16:1
To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. [NIV]
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise. [NIV]
Taking it home
Which of the five components to consider when deciding on “Open & Closed Doors” comes most naturally to you? Is there one you tend to overlook?
Are there any decisions you’re facing that you’d like prayer for?
Tips on Group Prayer
Prayer is an important part of being in Growth Group. Over the years we've found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines.
WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME - Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request either before prayer begins or during the prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it's covered, the group moves on to the next topic.
PRAY MORE THAN ONCE - Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray.
WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE - Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it's hard for the other members to stay focused and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one’s required to pray out loud.